Who holds advantage on first trip to Edmonton?

Of the 27 drivers entered in the Rexall Edmonton Indy, only eight have previously competed at the circuit. Those drivers, who are in their first season competing in the IndyCar Series, hope past experience on the 1.96-mile, 14-turn street circuit will give them the upper hand in the 13th race on the 2008 schedule.

“It’s going to be the first race that we’re going to that we’ve really know the track," said Justin Wilson, who won at Edmonton in 2006 and finished second there a year ago. “It’s a very fast circuit. Some sections are like a permanent road circuit, and then there are places that are like street circuits. Because you have the walls so close, you can’t afford to make a mistake."

Other drivers who have raced at Edmonton in the last three years include Mario Dominguez, Ryan Hunter-Reay, Bruno Junqueira, Will Power, Graham Rahal, Oriol Servia and Paul Tracy. The eight drivers combined for 10 top-five finishes in 18 starts. In addition to Wilson’s victory in 2006, Will Power won the pole at Edmonton last year.

The 19 IndyCar Series drivers who will be racing at Edmonton for the first time don’t necessarily think they will be at a disadvantage.

“It looks like we get plenty of practice, so there’s plenty time to learn the circuit and get up to speed," said Ryan Briscoe, winner of the Honda Indy 200 at Mid-Ohio on July 20. “Not being able to go there in advance will be a bigger challenge on the teams that haven’t been as far as setup, gear ratios and all that. I love the challenge of learning a new circuit, and I understand it’s an exciting one."